NICAR's Database Library has recently updated the hazardous materials (Hazmat) database. The data are from the Department of Transportation's Hazardous Materials Incident Reporting System. You can find all records dating back to 1971 - when the system was established - and going through early 1998.
Any time a hazardous material is accidentally released while moving from its origin to its destination, a report is made and the data is entered into the system. All modes of transport are included, such as trucks, trains, planes and boats. An accidental release can mean a barrel falling out of the back of a poorly latched truck or a plane crashing.
The data include what the material was, the carrier company's name, where the material was coming from and where it was headed, and where the release happened. There are also fields that indicate if anyone was injured or died, if there was a spill and how much monetary damage was done. These tables can be linked together using unique identifiers. The database is broken up into three main tables. These tables consist of the details and consequences of the accident, what failed people or containers - and remarks from the reports. The six lookup tables, which simply provide more details, contain chemical codes and classifications, shipper's names and addresses, and FIPS codes.
Seth Hemmelgarn can be reached at (573) 884-7711 or by e-mail at seth@nicar.org.